Our Team
Erik Van Alstine
BDCN Director and Founder of Perceptual Intelligence
Erik Van Alstine, founder of Perceptual Intelligence®, is a renowned communicator and thought leader dedicated to driving transformation in people and organizations worldwide. With an engineering degree from the University of Washington, Erik built a successful advertising company that reached near Inc. 500 status before 30. In 1999, he founded an internet publishing company that grew to 1.5 million readers in 180+ countries. Erik has authored four books in the Perceptual Intelligence® Series, including Automatic Influence and Perceptual Intelligence. He’s also the founder of several companies, serving top executives, bestselling authors, and major retailers globally.
Kenneth Farmer
MD, Major General, US Army (Ret)
Dr. Kenneth L. Farmer, Jr., Major General (Ret.), served over 30 years in the U.S. Army as a Family Practice physician, retiring after commanding Walter Reed Army Medical Center and serving as Deputy Surgeon General. He twice served at Fort Lewis, leading the Army’s Western Regional Medical Command. After military service, he was COO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, founded Ken Farmer Advisors, LLC, and later became CEO of Careage. During COVID, he advised Pierce County’s disaster recovery efforts. He chairs the Museum of Glass Board and is an avid runner, completing 44 marathons. He and his wife Pat have four sons and 11 grandchildren.
Dennis LeMaster
Major General (Ret)
Major General (Ret.) Dennis LeMaster retired after nearly 36 years of active duty in the Army, serving in three divisions with deployments to the Balkans and Iraq. He held key leadership roles, including commander of Army hospitals at Fort Wainwright and Fort Carson, and led Regional Health Commands-Europe and Pacific. As a general officer, he oversaw medical care delivery for Army forces in Europe and the Pacific, working with NATO and international partners. His final command was the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio. Dennis holds degrees in Range Management, Forest Management, Procurement, Acquisition, and Strategic Arts.